Do Churches Pay Property Taxes? A Helpful Guide

For an organization like a church, seeming trustworthy should be a number one priority. After all, you can only positively impact your community if they trust your influence in the area. Also, trust leads to loyalty, and you need this from your members to help you achieve your congregation’s goals—from sharing about your faith to helping the less privileged.

To ensure you maintain trust in your name and brand, church leaders need to continually review their position and activities regarding the payments of taxes. Yes, there are many areas where charitable organizations like churches are exempt. But never take an exemption for granted or assume it applies to all aspects of your activities!

The question of do churches have to pay property tax? is a common one when discussing this aspect of church management. We compiled an easy reference guide to help you understand what the government may expect of you.

For Tax Purposes—What is Classified as a Church?

The IRS does have strict guidelines that will determine when are churches property tax exempt. For one thing, your organization must be recognized as being a church. The IRS will look for characteristics including, but not limited to:

• Whether you have a distinct legal existence
• There must be a recognizable form of worship
• Have codes of discipline and doctrine in place
• Do you have your own literature?
• Does the organization host gatherings regularly?
• A specific and established place of worship

Do Churches Pay Property Taxes?

In general, churches can save a lot on tax payments by not paying property tax on certain of their assets. However, the exemption is given in certain circumstances only.

What Does the Law Say?

Churches form part of the category of nonprofit organizations that usually don’t have to pay taxes on their properties. You can even use this benefit in cases where you’re renting a property, whether for worshipping or simply for members’ parking. Despite the lease stipulating that you’re responsible for taxes, apply for an exemption and you may be eligible in many scenarios.

Do keep in mind that various details determine your exemption status. For example, even the size of your congregation can affect the outcome of your application.

It’s also smart to research other avenues of obtaining tax exemption. Depending on your activities, welfare exemption could apply, or there may be property tax benefits if your congregation runs a school on the premises. It’s worth asking for advice from professionals, especially from one that’s knowledgeable about state and local tax laws, not only federal tax guidelines.

The Role of State Law vs Federal Law

If you’re operating a church in the US, do research the tax laws of your particular state. Legally, nothing prevents a state from adjusting property tax laws pertaining to churches. You may be eligible for certain payments or exemptions you’re not even aware of.

 

What Properties Do Churches Have to Pay Tax on?

How you use your property plays a big role in whether you’ll pay taxes or not. For example, a church may start earning an income by renting out the facility to other individuals or organizations whenever the congregation isn’t using it. If you start doing this, depending on the details of these activities and the tax laws in your geographical area, there is a chance that a church loses tax exempt status.

 

Why Don’t Churches Pay Taxes?

Countries’ tax laws do differ in their approaches when it comes to churches paying taxes. However, you’ll often find many exemption opportunities for these organizations.

In some cases, it’s simply favorable treatment for organizations that do good. In other countries, it’s motivated by the separation of church and state. For example, in the US this perspective is mentioned in the constitution and its motivation is that government shouldn’t get involved with religion.

Another viewpoint is the fact that the payment of taxes is for services rendered by the state. However, a church doesn’t draw an advantage from a variety of governmental services, such as public education. Therefore, people find it fair that not all taxes should apply to these entities.

There are also benefits for your members in this scenario. You may wonder are church donation tax deductible. And the good news is that, because churches can be viewed as nonprofit organizations, many members’ donations will benefit them once they do their tax returns. For this reason, remember to provide them with giving statements. This is very easy when you use user-friendly church management tools like ChMeetings with a ‘Giving’ feature. From enabling online payments to compiling reports and statements, it can all happen in an automated manner.

Getting the Tax Benefit—What Does Your Church Need to do?

So, are churches property tax exempt? Often, yes! But it’s not an automatic exemption. You do need to apply for it. Also, you may wonder do churches have to file taxes. To provide the government with the necessary information so you can enjoy the tax benefits, you do need to submit certain forms.

In most cases, you may have to apply for the exemption on a yearly basis. Do check your country and state’s guidelines on the particulars.

What Taxes DO Churches Pay?

Despite the smart approach to keep state and church separate in many countries, congregations do have a responsibility towards the societies they live in. Therefore, it’s only fair that some tax payments may apply, whether for church employees or the organization as a whole, such as:

• Payroll taxes
• Income taxes for clergy
• Tax on trading income and profit from business activities not related to the central religious mission.

ChMeetings for Easier Tax and Church Management

Hopefully, this information on the question of do churches have to pay property taxes, puts your mind at rest about one aspect of your church’s financial management. But we know there are so many aspects of a congregation’s administration that can be challenging to manage. This is the motivation behind various features of our church management software, which includes an app.

We even help you align with your policies by helping streamline processes such as vetting and electing diocese. And with multiple financial features that both you and your members can use—even online payments—you can have less to worry about and more time to look after your congregation.

If you have any other questions regarding church management, please let us know. We’re here to help!